Purpose of the Manual

The purpose of this manual is to document policy on geotechnical characterization and design for bridges, retaining walls, slopes, and ancillary structures in Texas transportation projects.

This manual is intended to assist Texas bridge and geotechnical designers in applying provisions documented in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 2020, 9th Edition
, which designers must adhere to unless directed otherwise by this document. The following manuals and guides should be used in companion with this document for designing geotechnical components of bridges, slopes, and earth retaining structures in Texas.

Bridge Design Manual – LRFD

https://txdot.gov/content/dam/txdotoms/brg/lrf/lrf.pdf

Bridge Design Guide

https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/brg/design/bridge-design-guide.pdf

Bridge Detailing Guide

https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/brg/design/bridge-detailing-guide.pdf

Bridge Railing Manual

https://txdot.gov/content/dam/txdotoms/brg/rlg/rlg.pdf

Bent (Pier) Protection Guide

https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/brg/design/bent-pier-protection-guide.pdf

Bridge Project Development Manual

https://txdot.gov/content/dam/txdotoms/brg/bpd/bpd.pdf

Bridge Inspection Manual

https://txdot.gov/content/dam/txdotoms/brg/ins/ins.pdf

Scour Evaluation Guide

https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/library/pubs/bus/bridge/scour-guide.pdf

Scour Analysis Guide

https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/des/guides/scour-guide.pdf

Hydraulic Design Manual

https://txdot.gov/content/dam/txdotoms/des/hyd/hyd.pdf

Quality Control and Quality Assurance Guide

https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/library/pubs/bus/bridge/qa_qc_guide.pdf

All AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications Articles, Equations, and Tables referenced in this manual are from the 9th Edition of AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, unless noted otherwise.

Section 1: Introduction